Gas-engine



(No Modl.) I V 5 sh-eets -sheetfi. O. L. GROHMANNI.

GAS ENGINE- No. 574,535., I PatentedJan. 5 ,1897.

- 169%. Fag);

(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 4. C. L. GROHMANN. GAS ENGINE No, 574,535.Patented Jan. 5, 1897.

Fi 6. 'flgz W'ii 17 e 55 68-," j 1 L ue/z z 6/":

. flaw/L, Git/1171100 4 v r .321 his ittrney UNITED STATES.-

PATENT .FFIGE.

GAS-ENGINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 574,535, dated January5, 1897.

Application fina mm. 31, 1896.. Serial m1. 535,647. on Mann '!'0 allwhom it ihwy'concern:

Be it known that LOARL L. GRQHMAN'N, a citizen of the United States,residing in Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of 5Connecticut, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas-Engines, of which the following is a specification.

Thisinvention relates to'gas-engincs, and

more particularly to that class known as exinvention is to provide anengine which, as eom'paredwith analogousdevices of this chara-rter;tionpagndjto furnish the samewith an im- .15

f anisms,'injconneetion with improved andefi fective means formaking-and supplying gas-- eons fluid 'to' the engine, whereby anexplogsionat each revolution of its crank-shaft is btained, thusconstituting a continuouslybperating engine without requiring amultizplicity of independently-actuatin g pistons.

Iii the drawings accompanying and form-.

ing a part of this specification, Figure l is a vertical sectional viewof this improved en- 'gine, partly in elevation. Fig. 2 is a righthandside view thereof, showing in dotted lines aliquid-reservoir, a pump,and an overflow-tank in operative connection therewithmoved. 'Fig. '3 isa vertical cross-sectional view of the valve-chest and evaporator, takenin linea a, Fig. 1, and looking toward the left hand. .Figs tt, 5, 6,and 7 are vertical sectional views similar to the view shown in Fig.1with portions of the operating mechanism removed and illustratingdifferent positionsof the piston and the valve mechanisms. Figs. 8 and 9are vertical sectional views similar. to Fig. 1 with'parts of the deviceremoved'and showing another construction of means for regulating theflow of gas- 'eQusfluid from the compression-chamber to the workingchamber of the piston-cylinder; and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view ofthe valve-chest, substantiallytakenin lines a a, Fig. 1, and lookingtoward the left hand and showing apart of the piston-cylinder 1nelevation.

Similar charactersdesignate like parts n all the-'figuresof thedrawings.

This improved explosive gas-engine ecm'.

plosive gas-engines; and the object of the w lljbe simple and efieetivein construe-- proved organization of piston and val ve mechand havingthe pulley-wheel and governor reprises in a general way a closed casingor cylingchamber, and in which a compound piston, (designated generallyby A,) comprising a working piston and a compression-piston,reeiprocates, an evaporator or gas-producing device (designatedgenerally by B) and operatively connected with suitablemeansforsupplying itwith a suitable fluid, means or mechanism(designated generally by C) for controllingthe fiowof'gaseous-fiuid fromthe cointhe wor.king chamber thereof, and suitable latin g the action ofthe en gine.

the valves-may be widely varied without departure from the scope of myin vent-ion.

In the preferred form thereof herein shown and described theengine-which, inthe present instance, is shown as of the? uprightpattern-comprises a closed easing of any suitable construction,preferably, however, in the nature of a cylinder 1 and preferably ofdilfercntia-l diameters. Reciprocating with in this cylinder is acompound, preferably chambered, piston A, comprising a working piston 2and 'a compression-piston 3, which, however, in its preferred form isconstructed as one member and which may be provided in the usual mannerwithsuitable ring-packings (notshown) adjacent to the working facesthereof. This compound piston, which is likewise 0E dilierentialdiameters to correspond with the dilferential diameters ofthe cylinder,separates said chambered casing or .ment 4-, and in the preferred formthereof it is preferably disposed at the upper end thereinder embodying'a compression and a work-- pression-chainber of the'piston-cylinder to5 means (designated generally by D) for regu- It will be understood thatthe various details of constructi msnch, for instance, as the particularconstruction and disposition of cylinder into a working compartmentorchamof and comprises a spring-actuated valve operativcly connected by aswinging orpivot-v ally-supported lever 11 and a suitableconnccting-rod'lB to an eccentric 10, disposed on the crank-shaft 7,.whereby, at' a certain predetermined period in the reciprocation of theplstonthe valve will be opcned to permit the outflow of the'products tcombustion, a.s-

hereinbc fore set forth. This valve com prises.

in a general way, a. valve member 13, a stem ll, extending through the'upperwall of the casing, and a spring 15, intermediate said well, anda. collar or disk 16 on the upper end ofthostem whereby the valvemember13 is held tightly against its seatlT-in the work ing chamber 4.The swinging or pivota lever 11 is bifurcated at its inner end andpivot- Kbust'io'n away from the engine.

ally connccted to an 'inverted-cup-shaped member or sleeve 18, inclosingthe upperend of thevelve-stem 14-, whereby on the downward movementoft-he slcevelS the stem It will be depressed to actuate or-depress thevalve member 13.

- Asuitable packing 19 may be disposed intermediate the endjof the stemand the upper end of the sleevemomber, if desired. r

' The valve-seat 17 eonsizutes the end of' a. port or passage 20,opening into the working chamber 4 when the-yalve is open and whichcommunicates, with 2 main port or passage lb-adapted. to convey theproducts of comleading. from the lower end ofthe working chamber 4 is asecond eduction port or passage 22, opening into said. main port orpassage 31, for assisting the outflow of the products of combustion fromsaid working chamof its downward stroke, for the purpose hereinafterspecified. 7 Instead of these ports or passages :23 and 24: a suitablevalve might be disposed in the upper end 'ofthe working piston, such asapuppet-valve, and operative'to permit the fresh air to rush into theworking chamber in a manner hereinafter set forth in connection withsaid ports .23 and '24.

Suitably connected with the cylinder adjacentto the cran k-chamber 5',which is preferably a. partof the-cylinder and a closed c-ham- 1-i;)e|-, amibe1m the compression-piston 3 is'a suitable air inlet o'rinduction-valve 25, pref-- erabl y constructed in the nature of apuppetvalrc, comprising the valve member 26, a

ainlfarelativ-ely low-power eompressiol' 's'pring' "2 8,carried thereby,snid stem 1n .snitable'guides 29, adjacent to the 31 of thevalve-chamber 32, and said valve being adapted to be actuated bysuction. caused amount of air.

suitable overflowt'enk 150, which is opcr eat 30 1,115. the removablecap or closn re.

by the piston. on its reciprocation in a. man

ner hereinafter set'forth.

The guide 29, which is in thenatnre of a -7 o socket, of the closure 21is. adapted to limit .f

the opening movement of the valve in untanner that will be obvious. 7

Connected w'ith'the cylinder in any suitable manner, preferably inposition adjac'entito' botli the working chamber L and the com pression-c-hamber 5 (if-the engine; is a valve-chest 35, preferablyembodying" a compression; chamber 36. ()perativel y connected with thisvalve-chest 35, preferably adjacent to the I under side thereof, byanysuitable means,

but herein shown connected thereto hymen-us r of the tubular member '38of thecvaipora-tor (hereinafter described) and which is provided with a.serew-tl n-eaided'end 38, adapted to en 35 9 gauge a screw-threadedopening in the'valve chest, is anevaporaton or gus-producingdevice B,which may be ofanysuita'ble con'struc-.

tion adapted-for the purpose; but in thcpreferred form shown t comprisesa chmnberediigo v casing or cylinder 3 having ages-conductor therein andshown herein in the nnt-urc of a,

tubular member 38, and whichjtubular 'memf,

her is preferably provided with a spiral chap-l net or way 39,:leudihgfrom its upper toiits I lower end, ,\'h ereb' v the git-cu. of surtaceover 3 p which the gas-producing fluid, pr.efcrablygas-. M

olene, is (listribnted'is increascd'and theliquid brought into moreintimate contact with the aityand thus-the rapid evaporation oft-lieioc'r liquid promoted with a f relatively small The inner wall of'thecvapo' rator-casing mayalsofbc corrugated or provided with a spiralgroove or channcl',if (le sired, to increase the vevzqooratin'gsnrfaCeQm5 Opening intorthis clnunbere'd casing 37, adJw cent to theupper end thereof, and preferably into an annular ch'aniber' 40'abovcthe spiral way '39, is a liquid pipe or con d uctorlgwhich",

is connected with a suitable liquid-reservoir no 100, whereby the liquidis conducted int-0' the upper end of said evaporator and permitted toflow around the tubular member 38011: the spiral wa-y 39,,and,therebyspread topermit it to be evaporated and absorbe-d'by theair 1-.

admitted into the chamber, as abovc stalted. 'lhat'portion of theliqnidwhich is .notevap orated is collectedv in a suitable trough42,-ad-

,iacent to the bottoni of the tubular member;

3'8, froni which an overflow-pipe 43 leuds to an t'ively connected tothe reservoi'ri 1.00 iu any suitable man'uetgsuch as by means or apump 2themain reservoir.

Connected with the evaporator- 121mmbcras 2 hot-air cond'uctoror pipe44, lendingt-oanyfl" suitableisource of $11 pply, whereby theili'quid 30, for forcing thesurplus liquid backin-td I injected into theevaporator from the resercharacter, such as gasolene, will he vnporiicd"and drawn into the: interior ofjihe' tubular member 38 through apassh'ge'45, where it unites with cold or'freshair-conducted thereto by asuitable cold-air conductor or pipe 46,

and which diluted mixture is then in conditlon to-be supplied to t-hevalve-chest.

In order to regulate'the supply of hot and cold or fresh air to theevaporator or gas-producing device B, the hot-air conductor 44- andthecold-air conductor 46 a are each provided with a' suitable valve 47.,operated by any suitable means toregulate the supply thereof to theevaporator. These .valves may be of any suitable construction; but inthe form shown comprise suitable cocks connected by levers 48 with a.rod 49, the end of which in turn is connected by a lever in the hatureof a bell? crank'lever 50, pivotally joined ,to any suit-' able;support, such as the piston-cylinder 1-.

One of the arms or members, as 51, of this bell-crank lever 5 isprovided with a bifur cated end 52, having transverse inwardly-extendingstuds 53, working in a way or groove 54 of a shiftable member 54",non-rotatively carried on the crank-shaft 7, adjacent to the powerreceivingor transmitting pulley-wheel 55,..whichis also shown carried onsaid crankshaft 7 for rotation therewith. The hub of this pulley. isshown, carrying suitable governing mechanism for the valves 47, andtherebytheugine, and which governin g mechanism, in the preferred formthereof shown, comprises a pair of suitable weighted bell-crank 1 leversor arms 56,-pivotally supported by extending arms 57, carried by the hub58 of the pulley; I The weighted ends of these arms are connected by asuitable helieal s'pring 59, and the inner ends of' the arms extend intoa suitable groove or way 60 of the shiftable mem-' ber 54!, whereby onthe rotation of the pulley the governor will shift said shiftahle mom--ber'54 and by means of theconnecting mechanism thereby actuate thevalves 47 to open and close the hot and cold air conductor or pipes,=andthus regulate the inflow of air to the evaporator. It will beunderstood, however, that instead of having thehot and cold air "alvese7 operatively connected with the governor mechanism such valves may besimply hand-valves and a valve be disposed in the tubular member 38below the valve 61' and operatively connected with the governor, wherebythefiow of the diluted mixture will be regulated rather than the flow ofthe hot and'cold'air; It will also be understood,'-however, that anysuitable'governing and 0on nectingmechanism, aswell asan'y suitableevaporator or other means, as before stated, adapted forthe purposespecified, may he used, or instead of an evaporator an injector or pumpmight be used to inject fluid,- such .as gasolene-or' ordinary gas, ifdesired, into the tubular member. 38-

Connected with he-valve-chest, adjacent the upper end of the tubularmember 38 of the evaporator, is a'suitable valve 61, operative on the.downward movement of the piston Abyih'e suction" created thereby toperinit the flow of gaseous fluid from said evaporator through thechamber 36 of thevalvechest and by means of a suitable porter, passage62 to gthe' compr siou chamber 5 of the pistomcylinder. Thi valve 61'may be" of any suitable co'nstructiong-but "in the preferred formthereof. it is in'the nature of a u mve comprising the "valve member 63and its stem 64:, having a suitable relatively low power helical spring65 carried thereon. The upper end of the stem 64 is guidedina suitableaperture or socket 66 of a removable closure or threaded plug67, carriedby the 'valve chest, and the lower end -,of i

cycle 'of movements of the apparatus to permit. said working chamber 4to be supplied with the gaseou'sfluid drawn by the action ofpression-chamber 5'of the engine, and in the.

preferred form of one construction thereof this valve mechanism, whichis disposed in the valveschest 35, comprises a suitablevalve 70 inposition intermediatea passage or port leading .to, the working chamber.4 and. the chamber 36 0f the valve-chest, through which 'chambenthe'gaseous fluid passes from the 1 evaporator to the compression-chamber 5.of :the, .pist-ou cylinder, and which valve ill its preferred .formcomprises a suitable valve the piston from the evaporatorB to saidcommember 72, adaptedto engage the valve-seat 7 2; a valve-stem 7 3, theupper end of which is guided by a s-uitablesocket 74 in a remov,--'

able closure or cap 75, secured to the valvechest, and by means of:which the opening movement of the'valve is limited, and the lower-endofr-which stem'is guided in a similar socket 76, carried by the lowerwall of said valvechest 35. This stem-73 is provided with a collar orhearing 77, upon which an arm- 79 bears for normally holding thevalveclosed, This'arm is shown fixedly secured -to"a shaft 80, journaledin the valve-chest 35,

and which carries, adjacent to its outer end,

a valve-closing lever 81, which is normally operated in onedirectionduring one part of the cycle'of movements by a relativ'elylowpowerspring82. (Shownconnected'sit one end to'the lever'Sl and at itsopposite end to 'a' suitable pin or holding device 83 on thevalve-casing.) This low-power spring 82 normally holds the valve closedwith a relatively light pressure, not sufllcieut. however, to materiallyoppose the 'passage'of the gaseous fluid from the compression-chamber 5to the working chamber 4 of the cylinder when it has reached a certaindegree of compression Hence in .order to prevent the passageofsnchgaseous fluid when under GOUIPIQSSIOIIIMMII- proper times in thecycle ofmovements, suitn his means or mechanism operative at certain periods inthe movements of the pistonis provided to secure the valve closed withan i'ncreased power- -sueh, for instance, as during the explosion in theworking ch'ztinher 4-.--so

, as to prevent-the return of gases and the en- 8? of the lever 81.

trance of the flame to thepasszrges below the ivnlve, and which means ormechanism', in

oneform thereoflcomprises' a; level-actuator es, in the natnrepfn'stemor rod 85, having its upper end guided by an epertured exten sion 86 ofthe valve-chest-Bli and havingits;

lower end projecting through a perforation 4 This stem has a collar 80,adapted to hear on-saidilever 81,3nd can rise a compression-spring 89 ofrelativ'elyhigh 1 power acting between said coliar'nnd. the ex,

tension 86 of the val've-chest,- whereby, the

of the gaseous fluid.

r :ive will-he held closed againstithe passage ing this lever-actuator8i topermit the gaseonsii'uid to o'pen the valve and How into theworking chamber at certain periods inthe operation ofi the device, saidlever a'ctuatoris connected bysmtabl'e mechanism with the crank-shaft 7,and which mechanism is here-- 111 shown, comprising an ccccntricfiO,carried iipon'said shaft, and a suitable rod :91 having a strap 92encircling said eccentric QOa-nd having its upper end provided withmeans,v such as a socketfilfi, adapted to receive the lower end of saidlever;-actuator,uwlierehy dnring one period of thecycle of movements]the connecting-rod 91 will be; thrown upward by the eccentric 90, tothereby movojthe leveree'tuzttoI-Bi upward against the pressure of itsspri11g.S9,'and thus release the bearing of said actuator npon the lever81, whercbyithe gaseons fluid nnderipressure will open thevalve 70against the relatively light'power of its."

spring 82 and permit seid fluid to rush into the port or passage 71, andfrom then'ce and by means of' a. suitable, passage 95 into the workingchamber-4 of the pistoncylin'der to charge the same,'sand fluid beingthen ignited hy any suitable mean's't'o thereby explode the some in theworking chamber 4. The means herein shown for. this purpose consists ofn suitable tubularexploder 96, opening into snid passage 95, although itwill bfe obvious that it might be located'etany other suitable place,and which in practicewill he kept-sufficiently hot toigmte the gaseousfluid by 5 i .v i 5 of. It will be understood, however, that an y meansof a flame'np'p'lied to the outside there- 'other suitable means mightbe nscdfor this purpose, such a-s'an electric spark.

' In the operation of this i|nproved'explosi\-'e gas-engine, the-liquidhaving been conveyed toflic evaporator and there vaporized by the hotair and then united with the cold nil-lead;

ing to'snid evaporator, and the. action of the compound piston A on, itsdownward movernent having causedsnflicient suctionito raise.

'' the valve (iii-which isnlsosomewlmt assisted in its openlng'niovenent by the. gaseous firm;

As a means for'operetbeneath the valve in the evnporator--thc gaseousfluid is drawn fromthe evaporator through the chamber 36 ofthe-valve-ehest 3 5 to the compression-chamber 5' of the cylinder 1'until the piston has reached the end-of/its downward stroke, Fig;

chamber 5', and thus causes the se neto rush into the chamber of thecompound'piston and "through the port 2* of the working piston, and

into the working chamber lay-means of; the port or passage 23, openinginto said chamber and communicating with the working pistonport 24 whensaid piston'has reached the'limit At the same time SH-id pistoncompresses the air in the crankof its downward stroke, Fig. 5, and thusre,

place to a great extent the, burnedgztses, said piston having previouslyuncovered the exhaust or eduction port orphssage 22, lending to the mainexhaust port or passage 21, and

sion in the working chamber 4', to pass out through said port, therebyassisting to clear the chamber and also to reduce-the pressure on theexhaust-valve 9,,in order't-o permit the some to be readilyiopened atthe proper time.

The forking piston is provided with a dc; fiector 1 1, adztptcdto directthe t'resh air np-.

ward; n'tlie inauguration of the return or 10, rod 1-2, andlever11,\vherehythe fresh air, admitted into .the' \i'orkingchamherthrough the ports 24, and 23 from thejcrank-chember, forces'on'ttheremaining hurnedgiiscs during, the greater portionof the npward movementof the pistoihto thereby permit'tlie clearing permitted a, portion-ofthe-products of 001R I bustion, resultant from. the previous expl0-'upwardstroke of the piston, Fig. 6, the ex-1' henst-ivalve 9 is openedby means of the conneoting mechanism; comprising the eccentric I i .v"'5 i .of thecha-lnber-preparatory to the next'ex-;

plosio n. This upward stroke of the'pistonirl creates a vacuum and asuction-m the cranks- -'fresh air preparatory to compressing'thesame andforcing it into the working chamber .4 by means of the'poi'ts orpassages, 24 and 23, as described in connection with Fig.5.

some time the piston during the major por-z chamber {if snllicicnt toopenthe fresli-air-inlet valve 25 to fillfsaid crank-chamber with Lionof its .npward stroke greatly compresses I I the gaseous fluidpreviously conveyed from the evaporator through the valve-chest charm 1her 36 to the compression-chamber5 0i-the cylinder-and which'substantially filled hath the cylinder compression chamber 5 and bringing it nnder great com pressionfihe valve predetermined point onthe crankbait isrotated into position and actnatS: the irod 91,v which operates thevalve-actuator Si to release the valve 70,

whereby the pressure of' the gaseous fluid.

opens said valve 70 against the pressure of its low-power. spring 82,and thereby permits,-

such fluid to flow into the'passa'gesi l and.95, Fig, 'i, where it isignited and'exploded in the working chamber to force the pistondowncontinued, to thereby permit an explosion at each rotation of thecrank-shaft and at the completion or, termination ofveach upward-strokeof the piston, and thus obtain a con- .t-inuous' operation of theapparatus without 1 5 requiring a multiplicity of pistons.

According to another form of means for regulating or controlling theflow of gaseous fluid from the compression-chamber 5 of'the cylinder to.the working chamber 4.- thereof. Figs. 8, .9, and 10,,thezvalve-chest 35communicates with the cylinder 1 of the engine,

. preferablyadjacenttorhecompression-cham-' ber 5 thereof, by ZIIPOI'BTor passage 62, which leads from a'comnressi-cn-chamber 36 in thevalve-chest, substantially similar to the compression-.chamberfiti,Fig.3. Disposed above this passage 62" isa second port or passage97,'havingits inner end walls preferably flush with the piston,andiwhich passage ends beneath the valve 7 0, whereby, when the valve isopen, said passages? communicates with the port or passage 71,leadingto' the'passage 95', which opens into the workingfchamber 4 ofthe cylinder. v

The compression-piston 3 ieshown provided with a. port 98, whereby,'whenthe compound piston A has reached a predeterminedv point in its'upwardstroke, said port is in position to connect the passages 62 and 97,whereby the gaseous fluid drawn from the evaporator B through thecompression-chamber 36' of the valve-chest into the compression-chamber5 of the cylinder, and which practically filled said chambers 5 and 36'during the downward stroke of the piston and has been compressed backduringthe major portion of the upward stroke of said piston into saidvalvechest compression-chamber 36 alone, rushes by means of thepiston-port 98 into the passage or port 97, Fig. 9, below the valve 70and opens the same, and thence rushes through the passages 62' and 95'to change the working chamber4= of the cylinder in a similar way *tothat. shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to 7. Suitablepacking-rings (not shown) may be disposed on the piston in any suitableway to prevent leakage from one passage to the other. In thisconstruction of apparatus the valve-spring 83' of the valve 7 0, whichis of relatively low power, is carried by the stem 72' thereof and ispreferably disposed below the valve-seat 72" and intermediate-a socketor recess 99 in the valvechest and a collar 99' on said stem. Theopposite end of this'valve-stem 72' is guided ina socket 7,4- of aremovable plug or closure and is adapted to limit the opening movepreferably other suitable agent may be substituted therement of said valve.The valve 61 in the valve-chest 35, operative to admit the inflow of thegaseous fluid from the evaporator, is

substantially similar to the valve 61 heretofore described. In thisconstruction, how ever, the port 24 of the working piston 2 opens intothe passage 71' instead of int-o a separate passage or port 23, as inthe previously-described construction. The other parts in thisconstruction of the improved engine being substantially similar to thatheretofore described, the operation thereof will beobvious from theforegoing description, and

it will also be obvious that the necessity of having the valve 70'operated from the crankshaft is unnecessary in this particularconstruction, as said valve 70 is held in position by its relativelylow-power spring 83 until that predetermined period in the cycle ofmovements when the compression-piston 3 in its upward stroke has itsport 98 in position to connect the ports or passages 62' and 97, Fig. 9,whenthc compressed fluid Twill rush from the compression -chambcr' 36'of the; valve-chest 35 into said passage or port 97 and open said valveand rush into the working chamber i by meansof the passages 71 and 95,where it will be ignited and then explode to depress'the piston, whichwill act to draw an additional supply of gaseous material from theevaporator, and thus continue in operation.

In the claims and specification it will be understood that the-wordsdownward and upward, or their equivalents, will be understood to meanthe to'and-fro stroke of I the piston in whichever position itmayoperate, ,whether 'in' an upright, horizontal, or other-character ofengine.

Vhilel have described air as the diluent employed, yet, as is obvious,any

for and conveyed through the pipe 46, if deemed desirable.

Having described my inventiou,-I claim- 1. The combination of a casinghaving a working chamber and a. compression-chem: ber; a piston workingin said casing; a valvechest connected with said casing; an evaporatorprovided with a spiral way connected with said valve-chest; means forconducting the gaseous fluid from the evaporator through the valvcchcstto the compression-chamber and from thence back through the val ve-chestto the working chamber; and means for controlling the flow of thegaseous fluid from the compression-chamber to the working chamber duringa predetermined period in the cy- 'cle of movements of the apparatus.

2. Thecombination of a casing having a working chamber and acompression-chamber; a piston workingin said casing an evaporator orgas-produci'n g device provided with completely-formed gaseous fluidfrom the evaporator to the compression-chamber and .i'roln thence to theworking chamber; and

means for controlling the flow of gaseous fluid from thecompression-chain her to the working chamber during apredeterminedperiod in the cycle of movements of the apparatus.

3. The combination of a casing having a compression-chamber and aworking chamber; a piston working therein; means for conducting gaseotisfluid to the compressionchamber of the casing and from thence to theworking chamber thereof; means in position for rest-rioting orcontrolling the flow of such gaseous fluid to the working chamber duringa certain predetermined period in the cycle of movements of theapparatus; and means adapted to permit the induction of fresh air intothe casing below the compression-chamber and from thence through theeasing into the working chamber after the explosion of the gaseous fluidtherein.

4. The combination of a casing having a compression-chamber and aworking chamber; a piston working therein; means for conducting gaseousfluid to the compressionchambcr on the downward stroke of the piston andfrom thence to the working chamber during a part of the upward stroke ofthe piston; means in position for restricting or controlling the flow ofsuch gaseous fluid to the working chamber throughout the entire downwardstroke and the major portion of the upward stroke of said piston; meansfor permitting the induction of. fresh air to the casin g below thecompression-chamber at the inauguration of the upward stroke ofthepiston an d-means for permit-tin g the flow thereof. from saidcomprcssion-ehamber through. the

casing and the piston and into the working chamber at the completion ofthe downward stroke of said piston.

,5. The combination of a casing having a compression-chamber and aworking chamber; a piston working therein; means for conducting gaseousfluid to the compression chamber on the downward stroke of the pistonand from thence to the working chamber during a part of the upwardstroke of said piston; means in position for restricting or -controllingthe flow of such gaseous fluid to the working chamber throughout theentire downward stroke and during the major portion of the upward strokeof such piston; means for permittim the induction of fresh air into thecasing to'n; means for conducting the products of combustion from theworking chamber and embodying valve mechanism operative on the upwardstroke of the piston; and means for' comprising a'working piston and acompression-piston; a valvechest connected helow the compression chamberduring the upward stroke of the pisit said casing; means for conductinggas e fluid intothe valve-chest and from thencefb the compressiou-chamber of the casing on the downward stroke 'ofthe piston,whereby will be compressed back into said valve-chest on the upwardstroke of said piston; means for conducting the compressed fluidfronrthe valve-chest chamber to the working chamber;

means disposed insaid 'alvc-chest and operative during-one part of thecycle of movements to prevent the flow of such gaseous fluid to theworking chamber and operative during another part of the cycle ofmovements'to permit the low of such gaseous.

fluid to the working chamber to actuate the piston; and means forpermitting the induction of fresh airinto the casing belowthecompression-ohamber and from thence into the working chamber atcertain periods in the cycle of movements of the apparatus.

7. In a gas-engine,the combination of acasing having a working and acompression chamber; a crank-shaft; a com'pound piston thereincomprising a working and a compression-piston and operativcly connectedwith casing; a passage connecting said val vc-chest with the workingchambcrof the casing;and

-the crank-shaft; a valve-chest connected to valve mechanismoperativelyconnected-with 4 the crank-shaft and operative during a -certain. period in the rotation thereof to permit the compressed gaseousfluid to flow from V the valve-chest into the 'working chamber 6 thecylinder to actuate the piston.

S. In a gas'cn glue, the combination of a casing having a working and acompression chamber; a crank-shaft; acompound piston therein comprisinga working and a. compres' sion piston; a valve-chest connected .to saidcasing; means for conducting the gaseous fluid to the valve-chest; apassage connecting said valve-chest with the compression-' chamber; apassage connecting the valveehest with the working chamber; arvalve insaid chest; springaetuated mechanism for holding said valve closedduringapart of the cycle of movements of the apparatus; and aneccentrically-actuated lever connected with the cran k-shaft andoperative to actuate said valve-closing mechanism to release the valveand permit the flow of the gaseous fluid to the working chamber.

9. In ages-engine, the combination of a casing having a. working'an'd acompression chamber; a crank-shaft; a compound plston therein comprisinga working. and a c'ompres sion piston; a valve chest, conneeted'to saidcasing means for conducting the gaseous fluid to the valve-chest; apassage connectchamber; a passage. connecting the valvechest with theworking chamber; a valve-in said chest; spring-actuated mechanism fornormally holding said valve closed and comprising a shaft journaled insaid val ve-chesthaving an arm operat-ively engaging the valve andsprung-actuated lcvci'x also connected to said shaft; means for holdingsaid .valve closed with increased pressure during a part of the cycle ofmovements of the apparatus 10. In a gas-engine, the combination of acasing having a working and a compression chamber; a crank-shaft; apiston thcrein'comprising a working and a compression piston a valveehest connected to said casin g; ah evaporator or gas-generatorconnected with said 'alve-ehest and provided with a spiral way;

a valve operative by the action of the piston to permit the inflow ofthe gaseous fluid from the evaporator or gas-generator; a passageconnecting the valve-chest with the com pression-ehamber a passageconnecting the valvechest with the working chamber; and valve mechanismoperati'vely connected with the crank-shaft to permit the openingthereof at a predetermined period in the cycle of movements of theapparatus, to thereby permit the compressed fluid to iiowffrom thevalveehest to the'worki-n g chamber of the casing to actuate the piston.l

1 1. An evaporator comprising achambered casing having aliquid-conductor connected therewith; a tubular member therein having aspiral way; an overflow-conductor connected to said evaporator: ahot-air conduct-or con nected with said casing; and a cold-air conductorconnected with said tubular member.

12. The combination of a casing; a crankshaft; a piston in said casing;avalve-chest connected with said casing and-having'valve mechanismtherein; an evaporator connected with said valve-chest and comprising achambered casing ha vinga tubular member thereinhaving a spiral way: aliquid-conductor connected to saidchambered casing; ahot and a cold airconductor connected with the easing and the tnbularmcmber, respectively;

and valve mechanism in said hot and cold air conductors and operativelyconnected with the crank-shaft, whereby the supply of air to theevaporator is-regula-ted.

13. The combination of a casing; a crankshaft; a piston in said casin gand operatively connected with the crank-shaft; a valve-chest connectedto said casing and having valve mechanism therein; a gas-producingdevice connected to said valve-chest and having hot and coldair-conductors connected therewith;

a liquid-conductor also connectedtherc with 1ngsaid valvechest witl-rihecompressiom.

and;valve mechanism in said hot,and coldair conductors and operativelyconnected to. the crank-shaft, whereby the supply of air to thegas-producing device is regulated.

it. The combination of a-ca'sing; a crank-- shaft; a piston in saidcasin g andoperatively connccted ivitliithe crank-shaft; a gas-producingdevice operatively'conneeted withsaid pismn-easiug and comprising achambered casing; aliquni-conductorconnected thereto: a hot and acold-air conductor also connected air conductors; a governor operativelyconnected with the crank-shaft; and mechanism connecting saidvalvcs andgovernor for regulating the supply of air to the gas-producing device,15. The combination of a easin"; a 'erankshaft; a piston operativelyconnected to said crank-shaf t; a valve-chest connected to said casin gand-having-valve mechanism therein: a gas-producing device connected tosaid valve-chest and operatively connected with a liqiud-rcservoir; anoverflow-conductor also connected with said gos-producingdevice and withan overflow-tank; a pump ope'ratively connecting the overflow-tankandliquid-reservoir; a hot and cold air conductor connected with saidgas-producing device; and valve mechanism in the hot and cold airconductors and opcratively connected with the crankshaft, whereby thesupply of air to the gasproducing device is regulated.

16. The combination of a casing having a working chamber and acompression-chamber; a crank-shaft; acompound piston wprkinginsaidcasing and comprising a compression-piston and a working piston andoperatively connected with the crank-shaft, said working piston. andworking chamber having ports comm unieating with each other at the endof the downward stroke of the piston; an air-in let val ve operative onthe upwardmovement of the piston to admit fresh air into the casing,whereby on the nxt'downward'movement of said piston'the same will, bymeans of. the communicating ports, flow into the working chamber; anexhaust-valve operatively connected with the crank-shaft, whereby on theinaogu ration of the upward stroke of thepiston said valve will ,beopened to'permil; the fresh air to force the products of combustion fromsaid working chamber; a valve: chest connected with said'cas'ingaudhaving apassage com in unicnting witlnthc compression-ehan1ber thereofand a passage comm unicating with the working chamber thereof;

downward movement of the pist'ouand the major portion of the upwardmovcnlcntthereof to hold said valve closed; means operatively connectedwith tlfe crank-shaft and operable at a predetermined period in eachrotation thereof to release the valve-actuator and thereby permit thegaseous fluid to open said valve and rush into the working Chillthereto;valve mechanism in said hot and cold 4 her to charge the same when thepie-ton has reached a predetermined period in its upward movement; a.gas-producing device con nccted with the v'alve-ohest; a valve operativeon the downward stroke of the piston to permit the gaseous fluid fromthe evaporator to be drawn therefrom through the valve chest to I thecompression-chamber of the cylinder; 8. liquid-supply conductorconnected with said gas-producing -daviee; a hot and a cold airconductor also connected with said gas-producing device; valve mechanismin said hot and cold air conductors; a governor operaand'operative toobtain an explosion of the gaseous fluid in the working chamber at eachrotation of the crank-shaft and at the compound piston, to thereby drivesaid piston downward.

17. The combination with a casing having a \vorkingchambcr and acompressiomchnmher; a piston working in said casing; a valve chestconnected to said casing; an evaporator or gas producing deviceconnected to said valve-chest; means for conducting the gaseous fluidfrom the evaporator throngh'thc valve-'chest to the compression-chamberand fiomthenae'baukthrough the valve-chest to the working chamber;ande'spring-pressed valve disposed in-the valve-chest forcontrolling'the flow of the gaseous fluid from the compression-chamberto the working chamher during apredete'rmincd period of the cycle ofmovements of the apparatus.

*pletion of each upward stroke of the com- F. N. CHASE.

